First Build... And jumpin' right in.

[ClaytonH]

A very crappy rendition of my idea (MS paint style):

My Plan is to look like the old Danelectro Dano Pro 1:

Specs:
>Sikita Spruce top with Ash "core" and either a maple or ash back
>Cherry neck with hard maple stringers

Think it would work or should i use a maple neck with cherry stringers?

 

[Stickk]

I like the shape of that Danelectro body.

 

[CptanPanic]

I like the shape of the illustration.

 

[ClaytonH]

Thanks Stickk, was going to do the longhorn shap but that seamed to hard to draw. Might also put some of the edging tape around it for a more "retro" look, found a place that sells al kinds of parts:
http://www.danguitars.com/

 

[ClaytonH]

ordered the bridge:

 

[ClaytonH]

I drew up a full sized plan today,
call it the "Pano Thinline"
Cause its a mix of my P-bass and a Dano Pro... get it?

With the parts I traced to get the shape and it will be hollow inside too.
Anybod got Ideas for a logo? The "company" will be called China Grove Guitars. I need one soon.

 

[ClaytonH]

After pondering for a day, I decied to go from "China Grove Guitars" to "Clayton Harding Guitars" and I got a logo.

The logo is a combo of a Early latin C and a Etruscan H.

 

[ClaytonH]

I'm wondering which option I should use, Fretted or Fretless.

 

[ClaytonH]

Orderd the neck:
Vintage Gibson NOS Maple EB /Triumph Bass Neck, $40

Orderd the body blank
1 Piece Solid African Mahogany Wood Guitar Body Blank $40

On the Fingerboard:
Bloodwood OR Ziricotte and still waitting on fretted or fretless. I would like an opinion from Lokire because I know he's got both and would like him to compare and contrast the two options

Check out Link Removed for body blanks he usally accepts any offer and has blanks ranging from Alder to Zebrawood. (hes got finger board and neck blanks too)

 

[Cy_Miles]

I can't answer that poll for you because I like both fretted and fretless.

If I only could have one bass it would be fretted for sure. Fretless gives a loose feel, warm tone, and is great for improv certain styles that like to slide up to the notes. But when I want solid, steady bass lines, or just want to rock and not have to worry about exact finger positions, I would prefer a fretted. It really depends on the style and my mood.

If you already play bass, presumably you would play a fretted bass, and if you've thought to yourself, "Gee, what a fretless would be like?", then a fretless would be a logical first build.

For instance I have two fretted basses, and I've had fun on a friends frettless, I've wanted one for a couple years so that is what I am building.

But as a player, I could not recommend a fretless for anyone who is just learning. Yes it's do-able and 'bless yer heart if you do', if you are just learning bass I highly recommend a fretted build for your first. You will have more fun sooner when it comes to learning to play. And the added steps of fretting the guitar, while exacting, are very doable even for a first time builder.

 

[ClaytonH]

Actually I already own a fretless and was just wondering which would give better tone for an acoustic.

 

[J. Crawford]

Great idea Clayton! Though I wont lie, I lol'd at the MS Paint rendition.

 

[lespaulmarshall]

This is going to be sexy, nice prices for the gear too man!

EDIT: Yeah dude... that MS Paint drawing is amazingly - terrible haha.

 

[Lokire]

Well, I primarily play fretted, so that usually gets my vote. But most people seem to prefer going fretless with hollowbody instruments, to get a bigger, more upright-ish tone I guess. The Fretted vs. Fretless decision depends more on who's goign to end up playing it. But I don't think you can go wrong either way

 

[ClaytonH]

Got My neck today. It's made of solid maple with a truss rod included and its almost its 29 birthday!
The Heal says it was made on Jun 17 1980:

Its a good lookin neck for being only 29. Still requiers a final sanding though. Smells like one of my old wooden baby chairs. Hmm

 

[tdogg]

wow where did you finnd that neck?

 

[Dbl2Tpp]

ordered the bridge:

Where did you get your bridge from?

 

[ClaytonH]

Where did you get your bridge from?

Right here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/TAILPIECE-TYPE-...s?hash=item334d5a75e7&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

[ClaytonH]

Body came today, looks good.

 

[ClaytonH]

Roughed out the body shape today and hit the bottom with a 1/3" roundover and my crapsman router wouldent go high enough to get it to the top so I found an old small block plane and my crapsman belt sander to smooth the edge out.

and a quit mockup with the neck hovering over the body